Waterproof dual-track zipper

ABSTRACT

A waterproof dual-track zipper includes two zipper tapes of the same structure, each zipper tape including a tape body, a mating strip integrally formed with one lateral side of the tape body and a sealing structure located on one side of the mating strip, the sealing structure including a male engaging member and a female engaging member, a first close-ft portion connected between the male and female engaging members and a second close-fit portion at an opposite lateral side of the male engaging member, and a zipper slider coupled between the two zipper tapes and movable to force the male engaging member of one zipper tape into engagement with the female engaging member of the other zipper tape and to abut the first and second close-fit portions of one zipper tape be against hook flanges of the female engaging member of the other zipper tape, achieving excellent waterproofing effects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to zip fasteners and more particularly to a waterproof dual-track zipper, which effectively prevents water permeation.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

Regular zippers commonly comprise two zipper tapes each carrying a series of interlocking teeth, and zipper slide coupled to the two series of interlocking teeth and movable in two reverse directions, to interlock the two series of interlocking teeth in one direction and to separate the two series of interlocking teeth in the other direction. However, due to gaps existing in the two interlocked series of interlocking teeth, these zippers are not waterproof. There are commercial waterproof zipper designs, however these waterproof zipper designs still use interlocking teeth for sealing and other waterproof techniques to prevent water penetration. Some other waterproof zipper designs use a re-sealable structure instead of interlocking teeth to achieve sealing between two zipper tapes. U.S. Pat. No. 7,536,758 discloses a similar design, entitled “Device for creating a seal between fabrics or other materials”.

The zipper device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,536,758 includes two different shapes of seal members. Making these two different shapes of seal members requires two different molds and therefore high production costs. Further, the close-fitting tightness and sealing stability of the sealing structure between the two seal members are insufficient, leakage may still occur. More particularly, when the zipper device is stretched, the two seal members can be separated. Further, when the two seal members are interlocked, a large crevice or non-interlocking gap may exist in between the two seal members within the specially designed sliding member (zipper slider), weakening its waterproof function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. The main object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof dual-track zipper, which enhances sealing between the two zipper tapes and effectively prevents water permeation.

A waterproof dual-track zipper in accordance with the present invention comprises a first zipper tape and a second zipper tape that have the same shape, and a zipper slider coupled between the first zipper tape and the second zipper tape and slidable in two reverse directions, to close the first zipper tape and the second zipper tape in one direction and to open the two zipper tapes in the other direction. The first zipper tape and the second zipper tape have the same structure. Further, the first zipper tape and the second zipper tape each comprise a tape body, a mating strip integrally formed with one lateral side of the tape body, and a sealing structure located on one side of the mating strip. The sealing structure comprises a female engaging member, a male engaging member disposed in a parallel manner at one lateral side relative to the female engaging member, a first close-fit portion connected between the female engaging member and the male engaging member, and a second close-fit portion disposed at an opposite side of the male engaging member. The female engaging member comprises an engagement groove inwardly curved in one side of the mating strip, and two hook flanges respectively disposed at two opposite lateral sides of the engagement groove. The male engaging member comprises a long rib, and a neck connected between the long rib and the mating strip. Thus, the long rib of the male engaging member of the first zipper tape is engageable into the engagement groove of the female engaging member of the second zipper tape, enabling the two hook flanges of the female engaging member of the second zipper tape to be hooked on the neck of the male engaging member of the first zipper tape and the first close-fit portion and the second close-fit portion of the first zipper tape to be abutted against the surfaces of the two hook flanges of the female engaging member of the second zipper tape. In the same manner, the long rib of the male engaging member of the second zipper tape is engageable into the engagement groove of the female engaging member of the first zipper tape, enabling the two hook flanges of the females engaging member of the first zipper tape to be hooked on the neck of the male engaging member of the second zipper tape and the first close-fit portion and the second close-fit portion of the female engaging member of the second zipper tape to be abutted against the surfaces of the two hook flanges of the female engaging member of the first zipper tape.

Further, a waterproof pocket is affixed to one end of the first zipper tape and one corresponding end of the second zipper tape. The pocket defines an opening in one side thereof facing toward the zipper slider for enabling the zipper slider to pass therethrough into the inside of the waterproof pocket when the zipper slide is moved to close the first zipper tape and the second zipper tape.

Due to the characteristic that the first and second zipper tapes have the same structure, one same mold can be used to make the first and second zipper tapes, thereby saving the manufacturing cost. More particularly, the design of the female engaging members, male engaging members, first close-fit portions and second close-fit portions of the two sealing structures of the first and second zipper tapes enhances the close-fitting tightness and sealing stability between the first and second zipper tapes, achieving excellent waterproofing effects.

Further, when the zipper slider is pulled to the extent to close the first and second zipper tapes, it is inserted through the opening of the waterproof pocket into the inside of the waterproof pocket and well concealed therein. Thus, the waterproof pocket can protect the non-sealing area of the sealing structures of the first and second zipper tapes against rainwater or accidental splashing water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a waterproof dual-track zipper in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the present invention, illustrating the two zipper tapes sealed together.

FIG. 3 is an exploded sectional view, in an enlarged scale, of a part of the waterproof dual-track zipper in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 corresponds to FIG. 3, illustrating the sealing structures of the two zipper tapes sealed together.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional side view of the waterproof dual-track zipper in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 5, illustrating the zipper slider position relative to the zipper tapes.

FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of the present invention, illustrating a first press-bonding part formed on one end of the first zipper tape and one corresponding end of the second zipper tape.

FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of the present invention, illustrating a first press-bonding part and a second press-bonding part respectively forming the opposite ends of the first zipper tape and the second zipper tape.

FIG. 9 is a schematic front view of the present invention, illustrating a waterproof pocket located at one end of the waterproof dual-track zipper.

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional side view of the present invention, illustrating the zipper slider received in the waterproof pocket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a waterproof dual-track zipper in accordance with the present invention is shown. The waterproof dual-track zipper comprises a first zipper tape 1, a second zipper tape 2, and a zipper slider 3 set between the first zipper tape 1 and the second zipper tape 2 and movable to force the first zipper tape 1 and the second zipper tape 2 into engagement with each other, or to separate the first zipper tape 1 and the second zipper tape 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first zipper tape 1 and the second zipper tape 2 are respectively made out of a plastic material in one piece, each comprising a tape body 11/21, a mating strip 12/22 integrally formed with one lateral side of the tape body 11/21, and a sealing structure 13/23 located on one side of the mating strip 12/22. The tape bodies 11 and 21 are narrow, elongated, flexible plastic belts for fixation to two separated parts of a raincoat, suitcase, or any other object. The sealing structures 13 and 23 are designed to close-fit each other. Preferably, the sealing structures 13 and 23 each comprise a female engaging member 131 or 231, a male engaging member 132 or 232 disposed in a parallel manner at one lateral side of the female engaging member 131 or 231, a first close-fit portion 133 or 233 connected between the female engaging member 131 or 231 and the male engaging member 132 or 232, and a second close-fit portion 134 or 234 disposed at an opposite side of the male engaging member 132 or 232. The female engaging member 131 or 231 comprises an engagement groove 1311 or 2311 inwardly curved in one side of the mating strip 12 or 22, and two hook flanges 1312 or 2312 disposed at two opposite lateral sides of the engagement groove 1311 or 2311. Further, the engagement groove 1311 or 2311 has a smoothly arched cross section. Further, the hook flanges 1312 or 2312 have a smoothly arched top side. The male engaging member 132 or 232 comprises a long rib 1322 or 2322 configured to fit the engagement groove 2311 or 1311, and a neck 1321 or 2321 connected between the long rib 1322 or 2322 and the mating strip 12 or 22. The first close-fit portion 133 or 233 is adapted to abut against one corresponding hook flange 2312 or 1312, achieving close-fitting. The second close-fit portions 134 and 234 must have a sufficient length for allowing the end edges thereof to be respectively kept in contact with the tape bodies 11 and 21 of the first zipper tape 1 and second zipper tape 2 (see FIG. 4) so that the second close-fit portions 134 and 234 can be covered over the other hook flange 2312 or 1312.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the zipper slider 3 can be moved in two reverse directions: to join the first zipper tape 1 and the second zipper tape 2 in one direction, and to separate the first zipper tape 1 and the second zipper tape 2 in the other direction. When joining the first zipper tape 1 and the second zipper tape 2, as shown in FIG. 4, the long rib 1322 of the male engaging member 132 of the first zipper tape 1 is engaged into the engagement groove 2311 of the female engaging member 231 of the second zipper tape 2, the two hook flanges 2312 of the second zipper tape 2 are hooked on the neck 1321 of the male engaging member 132 of the first zipper tape 1, and the first close-fit portion 133 and the second close-fit portion 134 of the first zipper tape 1 are respectively and closely abutted against the surfaces of the two hook flanges 2312 of the second zipper tape 2. At the same time, the long rib 2322 of the male engaging member 232 of the second zipper tape 2 is engaged into the engagement groove 1311 of the female engaging member 131 of the first zipper tape 1, the two hook flanges 1312 of the first zipper tape 1 are hooked on the neck 2321 of the male engaging member 232 of the second zipper tape 2, and the first close-fit portion 233 and the second close-fit portion 234 of the second zipper tape 2 are respectively and closely abutted against the surfaces of the two hook flanges 1312 of the first zipper tape 1.

As stated above, the first zipper tape 1 and the second zipper tape 2 are one-piece plastic members having the same structure. One same mold can be used to make the first zipper tape 1 and the second zipper tape 2, saving the manufacturing cost. When the first zipper tape 1 and the second zipper tape 2 are made, they are arranged in reversed directions and assembled with the zipper slider 3 to form a waterproof double-track zipper. More particularly, the design of the female engaging members 131 and 231, the male engaging members 132 and 232, the first close-fit portions 133 and 233 and the second close-fit portions 134 and 234 of the two sealing structures 13 and 23 enhances the close-fitting tightness and sealing stability between the first and second zipper tapes 1 and 2, achieving excellent waterproofing effects.

Referring to FIG. 7, one end of the first zipper tape 1 and one respective end of the second zipper tape 2 can be bonded together using a thermal fusion welding technique, thereby forming a first press-bonding part 4. In this case, the waterproof dual-track zipper has only one open side. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the other end of the first zipper tape 1 and the other end of the second zipper tape 2 can also be bonded together, forming a second press-bonding part 5.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a waterproof pocket 6 is bonded to one end of the first zipper tape 1 and one corresponding end of the second zipper tape 2 by thermal fusion. The waterproof pocket 6 is made of a plastic sheet member 61 that is bonded to the first zipper tape 1 and the second zipper tape 2, leaving one side open and facing toward the zipper slider 3. Thus, the open side of the plastic sheet member 61 defines with the first zipper tape 1 and the second zipper tape 2 an opening 62. When the zipper slider 3 is pulled to the extent to close the waterproof dual-track zipper, it is inserted through the opening 62 into the inside of the waterproof pocket 6 and well concealed therein. Thus, the waterproof pocket 6 can protect the non-sealing area of the sealing structures 13 and 23 of the first and second zipper tapes 1 and 2 against rainwater or accidental splashing water.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A waterproof dual-track zipper, comprising a first zipper tape, a second zipper tape, and a zipper slider coupled between said first zipper tape and said second zipper tape and slidable in two reverse directions to close said first zipper tape and said second zipper tape in one direction and to open said first zipper tape and said second zipper tape in the other direction, said first zipper tape and said second zipper tape having one same structure, wherein: said first zipper tape and said second zipper tape each comprise a tape body, a mating strip integrally formed with one lateral side of said tape body, and a sealing structure located on one side of said mating strip, said sealing structure comprising a female engaging member, a male engaging member disposed in a parallel manner at one lateral side relative to said female engaging member, a first close-fit portion connected between said female engaging member and said male engaging member, and a second close-fit portion disposed at an opposite side of said male engaging member, said female engaging member comprising an engagement groove inwardly curved in one side of said mating strip and two hook flanges respectively disposed at two opposite lateral sides of said engagement groove, said male engaging member comprising a long rib and a neck connected between said long rib and said mating strip; the long rib of the male engaging member of said first zipper tape is engageable into the engagement groove of the female engaging member of said second zipper tape, enabling the two hook flanges of the female engaging member of said second zipper tape to be hooked on the neck of the male engaging member of said first zipper tape and the first close-fit portion and the second close-fit portion of said first zipper tape to be abutted against the surfaces of the two hook flanges of the female engaging member of said second zipper tape; and the long rib of the male engaging member of said second zipper tape is engageable into the engagement groove of the female engaging member of said first zipper tape, enabling the two hook flanges of the female engaging member of said first zipper tape to be hooked on the neck of the male engaging member of said second zipper tape and the first close-fit portion and the second close-fit portion of said second zipper tape to be abutted against the surfaces of the two hook flanges of the female engaging member of said first zipper tape.
 2. The waterproof dual-track zipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second close-fit portions of the sealing structures of said first zipper tape and said second zipper tape have a predetermined length that allows respective end edges of the second close-fit portions of the sealing structures to be kept in contact with the tape bodies of said first zipper tape and said second zipper tape and to cover over one respective said hook flange.
 3. The waterproof dual-track zipper as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a waterproof pocket affixed to one end of said first zipper tape and one corresponding end of said second zipper tape, said pocket defining an opening in one side thereof facing toward said zipper slider for enabling said zipper slider to pass therethrough into the inside of said waterproof pocket when said zipper slide is moved to close said first zipper tape and said second zipper tape.
 4. The waterproof dual-track zipper as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first zipper tape and said second zipper tape each have one end thereof bonded together by thermal fusion to form a first press-bonding part.
 5. The waterproof dual-track zipper as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first zipper tape and said second zipper tape each have an opposite end thereof bonded together by thermal fusion to form a second press-bonding part.
 6. The waterproof dual-track zipper as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first zipper tape and said second zipper tape are one-piece members respectively made out of a plastic material.
 7. The waterproof dual-track zipper as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first zipper tape and said second zipper tape are one-piece members respectively made out of a plastic material. 